a-ha

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Oslo, Norway (1982 – 1994, 1998 – 2010)

a-ha was a band that was globally successful from the 1980s until their split in 2010. The trio, composed of lead vocalist Morten Harket, guitarist Paul Waaktaar-Savoy and keyboardist Magne Furuholmen, formed in 1982 and left Oslo, Norway for London in order to make a career in the music business.

The origin of the name a-ha comes from the lyric of an early song. After checking dictionaries in several languages, they found out that ‘a-ha’ was an international way of expressing recognition, with positive connotations. It was short, a-ha was easy to say and somewhat unusual.

The first song to break through into the mainstream culture was Take On Me, which was featured on the album Hunting High And Low; a main reason for its popularity was the music video that came some time later after the song’s release.
“Take on Me” was the first song Morten Harket heard Magne Furuholmen and Paul Waaktaar-Savoy play. At that time the song was called “Lesson One.” After multiple re-recordings and two failed releases, “Take on Me” became a hit on both sides of the Atlantic in 1985. Although their first release of the song in 1984 was not a major success, it was remixed by producer Alan Tarney a year later, and sold 1.5 million copies worldwide in one week. Eventually the single “Take on Me” is estimated to have sold 7-9 million copies worldwide; it peaked at number one on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100 and number two in the UK Singles Chart. Sales were aided in the U.S.
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Popular tags: 80s, pop, new wave, norwegian, synth pop  See more

Shouts: 1,719 shouts

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  • maizwei74

    ♥

    yesterday morning

  • Camytop29

    i love them♥ huntin' high&low is definitely my song.

    Tuesday evening

  • nathfn

    foda

    Sunday afternoon

  • gosharosov

    love it

    Sunday morning

  • keanequeen

    Amo.

    Saturday afternoon

  • a-hacarl

    a-ha was a norwegian new wave band that was globally successful from the 1980s until their split in 2010. One hit wonder, I think not! Just watch Rock in Rio 2. Largest ever paying audience for a concert!

    Saturday afternoon

  • biGGernax

    Lifelines make me breath.

    Saturday morning

  • Sentenzia22

    one hit wonder

    Friday afternoon

  • xmihartx

    U2 :P

    Friday morning

  • takuora

    best name ever?

    last week

  • mojo_coruja

    stay on these roads...

    last week

  • Donshup

    So fucking GOOOOD!!! TAKEE ON ME , TAKE ME OOOOOOOON (8

    last week

  • flaviossz

    Graziella Schazad has a sweet version of 'Take On Me'. Try her group: [ http://www.last.fm/group/Graziella+Schazad ] See you!

    11 days ago

  • WhoIsKcarol

    COMO EU AMO <3

    11 days ago

  • bruno_borat

    so 80s!

    13 days ago

  • Starrymegane

    He must have a 5 octave vocal range... Scoundrel Days there finest song and it is not even in there top 15 tracks...

    14 days ago

  • DJSMusicfactory

    I love these guys!!! ♥

    15 days ago

  • owl___

    ♥

    15 days ago

  • fuckinblackstar

    Always my favorite band.

    15 days ago

  • sidiqua

    eternal love ♥

    16 days ago
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„ECHO“-Ausstellung öffnet heute

26 Nov 2011 | from a-ha.com

Magnes neue Ausstellung „ECHO“ öffnet heute in Oslo „ECHO“, Magnes Ausstellung neuer Arbeiten auf Leinwand und Papier, öffnet heute in [...]

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